Electricity is a wonder of the modern age. Most of us wouldn’t know how to survive without power.
Unfortunately, most of us also aren’t too excited about the bill when it arrives. Electricity prices have gotten a little crazy over the past few years.
If you’d like to rein it in, here are a few tips for reducing your power bill.
The Price of Electricity
Have you noticed how expensive electricity has gotten? Over the past 3 years, the bill for the average Australian household has gone up by more than $550!
Not surprisingly, many people are struggling to pay these high prices.
Tips for Reducing Your Power Bill
Cutting your power bill isn’t as difficult as you might think, and it doesn’t mean sitting around in the dark for hours on end. Here are a few simple tips to help.
1. Compare Pricing
In most of Australia, consumers have a choice about what company they buy their electricity from. Use this to your advantage. Shop around and find the best fit for your household needs.
Keep in mind that you should do this periodically. Energy providers change their offerings frequently to stay competitive.
A licensed electrician can also help you run an energy audit to find out where you can be saving more on your electric bill.
2. Turn Down the Thermostat
Heating and cooling costs account for about 40% of your electric bill. This means that savings in this area will have the biggest effect on your bill.
One easy way to save is to set the thermostat a little lower. During the winter, 18 – 20 degrees Celsius is a good temperature. For every degree about 20, you’ll pay approximately 10% more.
Set the thermostat a few degrees lower at night and when no one is home during the day.
3. Use Your Curtains
Another excellent way to keep the heat in (or out in the summer) is to use your curtains. Close them at night to keep the heat in as much as possible. Open them during the day, particularly on the sunny side of the house to take advantage of solar heat.
In the summer, you’ll want to close them against the hot summer sun. Open them at night to let the house cool. You might even switch off the AC and open the windows to allow the cool night air into your home.
4. Turn off Appliances at the Wall
Did you know appliances such as TVs, microwaves, and cell phone chargers eat up electricity even when they’re not in use? Just being plugged in means they draw a tiny bit of electricity.
Get in the habit of turning all your appliances off at the wall to avoid this drain. Alternatively, you can plug your appliances into smart power boards that will turn everything off for you.
Saving Money Is Easier Than You Think
A few simple habits can make a big difference, especially over the course of a year. Try implementing these tips to see the difference it makes on your next power bill!
